Steves Fine Wines - Tried & Tasted

Comte G. de Vogue Chambolle-Musigny 1er 2007

2010-06-05T01:23:00.000-07:00

This wine has a beautifully crisp bright ruby red colour, so clear and vibrant you can see through it in the decanter. Its clarity and brightness are electric in the glass. Its palate is soft and elegant with flavours of red cherry, notes of blue berry and an underlying spice with defies its age.

The mouthfeel is plush velvet and its acidity and balance are impeccable; this is 'elegance' bottled.

From the nose to the long delicate finish this wine is chic, sexy, feminine wine which will be a mind blower in the years to come.

Thanks to Alex from 44 King Street for sharing this gem.

19/20 Michael

Ormond Gewurztraminer Vinoptima 2006

2010-06-01T22:46:00.000-07:00

After tasting the 2004 vintage of this exceptional wine, and stating that this 'could quite possibly be the best white wine ever to have left the shores of New Zealand', I was very excited when we recieved the 2006 vintage...having tasted.... my claim still stands!

The nose is fresh and vibrant packed full of lychee and Honey Dew Melon, which hint at a slight sweetnes. The palate is rich with a zingy viscous mouthfeel and great weight. Deep flavours of apricot, ginger, spices and honey grip this Gewurtz with the sweet notes of lychee and melon along for the ride on this rollercoaster of tastes.

The length lasts and lasts on a wonderful drying finish.

This wine is to become one of my all time favorites, at 13% and lovely acidity it has excellent aging potential; and at $55.00 it is a steal.

18/5 points

Michael

Domaine Leflaive 'Les Folatieres' 2002

2010-04-27T00:42:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I was lucky enough to taste this outstanding 1er Cru Puligny from Domaine Leflaive; 'Les Folatieres' is one of the best known vinyards in Puligny and has a similar aspect to the mighty 'Chevalier' Montrachet.

2002 was a great vintage for white burgundy, rivaling 1996 and 1992.

The colour was a deep golden yellow, and the nose hit me as soon as the cork was pulled.... The aromas were slightly 'damp' on my first look, although, within minutes they cleaned up to reveal a wonderful nose of lemon and grapefruit citrus and a lovely hint of honey.

The weight on the palate and stunning texture were indeed akin to a Grand Cru. The major players in this wine are (1) the intense minerality and (2) impeccable balance. That being said, this is a very complex wine with a beautiful softness, elegance and a finish that goes on and on...... 18/5 Points.

RRP $250 (if you can find it, we only have 3 left!!)

Michael

McHenry Hohnen Rolling Stone 2007

2010-04-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, yes this winery is owned by the owner of the store. Yes, he's my boss. Having said that, this blog is reserved for only the best wines we try and its going to stay that way. So, Yes, this wine deserves it spot here.

I think what makes this wine a winner for me is the blend. Margaret River has always been known for Cabernet, but the percentage of Merlot in the blends has been creaping up over time which of course makes for easy drinking, drink now styles which have their place in the market.

This wine is a Bordeaux inspired blend of Malbec, Cab, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, each making up approximately a quarter of the blend. The Malbec, or Monster as we sometimes call it, really beef's this drink up and is a welcome change from the fleshy aformentioned Cab Merlot styles.

The nose is lifted with red berry fruit, while the palate is full bodied and earthy, with beautiful firm tannins. This wine is sure to improve with cellaring.

Retails at $38 which is really a bargain when you look at its rivals from the region

Carver Sutro Petite Syrah 2001

2010-04-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

We had a few bottles of this Napa Valley red instock, and really didnt know too much about it. Took a punt and wacked a bottle on the Eno. Its from the Pallisades vineyard which Im told is one of the best sites in Napa for this variety.

Zziinngg... The second it came out the tap the inky purple colour told me there was not going to be too much "Petite" about this wine! Intense aroma's of blackberry, blueberry and controlled oak filled the glass - While the palate, well if you like massive reds that feel like the may disolve your tongue this is for you. It's amazingly powerful with beautiful tannin and length.

This retails for $93.00 and is on tasting on the Eno as at 28/4/10.

I see Mr Parker gave this wine 94pts, which is a pretty high score for a man who's hard to impress

We've only got 5 bottles left, so if your interested get in quick!

Xanadu Reserve Chardonnay 2008

2010-04-26T22:55:00.000-07:00

I first tried this wine at a trade event at the winery with the "newish" owners The Rathbone family (Yering, Mt Langi, Parker). I remember at the time being blown away by it - but by the end of the night after a many more glasses the recollection was a little hazy

We've just got the wine instore and featuring it on the EnoMatic as of 27/4/10

Wow! It has been a while since a Aussie Chard has impressed me as much as this beauty! The nose is exotic with peach & grapefruit, and the palate is perfectly balanced with lots of leesy characters and toasty oak. Its flinty, powerful, complex, and bloody brilliant

For me this is knocking on 95 Points
Retails at $75 and worth every cent
James

Pieropan Le Colombare 2004

2010-01-17T00:20:00.000-08:00

I'll probably get some stick for bangin on about this wine again, but I dig it for several reasons. One - I love dessert wines, and Two - It is unlike any dessert wine I have tried before.

After chatting with the wine maker recently he explained it is made from 100% Garganega grapes, that are rack dried for 5 months, similar to the amarone style reds, and then 2 years in oak. No botrytis, no cane cut, different....

On the nose this wine is incredible, mangoes, honey, caramel... The palate is amazingly complex, with marmalade like characters, and brilliant depth.

I cant get enough of this stuff!! 91+ Points

James

Meerlust Rubicon 2005

2010-01-16T23:42:00.000-08:00

We put this one on the EnoMatic last week, didnt know too much about it at the time, except that it was considered one of the top reds coming out of the region.

Poured myself a taste, first impression was one of familiarity. Deep colour, youthful aromas jumping out of cassis with cherry and some minerality, which to me screamed right bank Bordeaux. The palate continued on the same path, "juicy", full bodied, dry tannins.

I have since jumped online and looked into the wine, discovering that it is indeed a Bordeaux styled blend. Having said that, it easily stands on its own credentials. And while a $95 price tag is high in comparison to some other SA wines, it is well worth the price tag.

90+

James